Must Watch Christmas Movies with projects
December 12, 2014
This is a re-post of a popular post from last November. I
love Christmas movies, but unfortunately this year I haven't been able to watch nary a one! Things have got to change around here and I think tomorrow I'm going to begin my marathon Christmas movie watching weekend. And knit of course.
Remember my Top 10 Movies for Knitters? I'm adding to it a Must Watch Christmas Movies List complete with appropriate projects to knit while viewing. Let's begin, in no particular order!
Remember my Top 10 Movies for Knitters? I'm adding to it a Must Watch Christmas Movies List complete with appropriate projects to knit while viewing. Let's begin, in no particular order!
1. White Christmas.
I know, you've probably seen it ____ times, (multiply your age times
2), but maybe you'll be watching it again this year just to see the
gorgeous gowns Rosemary Clooney and Vera Allen are wearing and you'll be
asking yourself, "When exactly is the last time I wore a gown?"
Love that spectacular last scene with the Santa costumes and the tree
with the doors opening and it's snowing and they're singing White
Christmas. We really can't top that kind of beauty, but we can knit a
gossamer lace shawl for the leading ladies to slip over their
shoulders. Temptress by Boo Knits.
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| Knit in Licktfaden Tussah Silk Lace with beads translates to unequaled elegance. |
2. The Polar Express
is a visually beautiful movie and has an important lesson, to remember
what it feels like when you believe. A feel good movie. However, the
kids look so chilly going to the north pole dressed only in their pj's
and just a few remembered to bring their robes. Brrr, I shiver just
thinking about it. Let's knit up a little something warm for these
kiddies. I like the Waiting for Winter Mittens very much!
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| Waiting for Winter by Susan B. Anderson. These look like they are knit in Noro. |
3. The Bishop's Wife.
Why don't they make movies like this anymore? Cary Grant, Loretta
Young, David Niven, oh my. An angel in the form of Cary Grant descends
to earth to help a young family. While viewing this I think we should
knit my Christmas Angels! Aw, I'm really proud of them and think they turned out pretty cute.
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| Christmas Angels, free pattern download, knit with Rowan Angora Haze. |
4. How The Grinch Stole Christmas,
the one with Jim Carrey. The casting for this movie was so spot on.
What an adorable little Cindi Lou Who and Jim Carrey as the Grinch,
well, there could be no other! But perhaps my favorite character is
the fashionable Martha May Whovier. As in Bouvier. For the edgy Martha
May we absolutely have to pick something from the edgy Rowan Studio 33.
Almost any design will do but let's go for maximum flash and knit the
cape with beads, Pop by Amanda Crawford. You know you want this. Edited to add: I bought the beads for this last year when I was in the bead district in NYC. Yep, there is a bead district in NY with dozens of bead and button shops. I visited it every day! This is still in my queue waiting for some day.
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| Pop, knit with Rowan Kidsilk Haze. |
5. The Christmas Story. Guys like this movie, and girls do too, but guys really really
like this movie as it really strikes a familiar cord. The Christmas
Story takes place in the mid west in the 40s. The whole movie revolves
around Ralphie who wants a BB gun for Christmas. It's a hard sell,
because we all know that the answer can only be "No, you'll shoot your
eye out." Poor Ralphie. This is a classic vest for Ralphie and this
charming little fellow even looks a little bit like him. Epsilon by Katya Frankel.
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| Knit in Rowan Purelife Organic DK Wool. |
6. The Miracle on 34th Street,
both versions are worthy of repeated watching. I love little Natalie
Wood in the 1947 version. Little side note, she went to high school
with my husband's cousin who said she was shy and sweet and very
pretty. The 1994 version with Mara Wilson is my favorite. Remember I
told you my mom was a children's talent agent?
Mara was her client and mother said she was the sweetest thing. All
the people in this movie, including the extras, are terrifically
handsome, wear gorgeous clothes and live in beautiful homes. Christmas
time is when I want a large dose of fantasy and this movie hits the
spot. We'll be knitting a beautiful classic for Mara; Charlotte
from the Little Star Collection knit in Rowan Angora Haze. A very
special sweater on a very pretty little girl. I'm gathering up the yarn
to knit this. I have no one in mind to give it to when it's done, I
just love it so much I feel compelled to make it! The Rowan sample was
hanging in my lys, oh my, it's so very beautiful!
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| Charlotte, sized ages 3 to 10 years, by Marie Wallin. |
7. It's A Wonderful Life.
I can't say enough about this terrific movie. My tradition is to bring
a small TV (now my laptop) into the living room and watch this movie
while I decorate the Christmas tree. (Alone. My husband puts on the
lights then retreats to another room for a night of uninterrupted Xbox)
My favorite scene is probably your favorite scene, dancing on top of
the pool! Or maybe the hydrangea bushes? Or the phone call in the
hall? Or the ending, sniff. Don't forget the tissues. I love that
town. We'll be knitting for Jimmy Stewart who deserves something
timeless like this Herringbone Cardigan by Martin Storey.
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This looks treacherous, but I'll bet it's not as hard as it looks.
It's a new pattern from Rowan Designer Knits
knit in Rowan Creative Focus Worsted. |
8. You've noticed that most of my movies are very
vintage. The Holiday is newish as in 2006, but it plays exactly like it
was a vintage movie. Two unsettled single women decide to swap homes for
the holidays. One home is Southern California modern and the other is
pure English country cottage charm. If you haven't seen this movie,
it's just delightful and worth a watch or two. A very sweet movie with
great sweaters. There is a very tender and magical "tent scene" and we'll knit a star
garland for the ceiling. Star Garland by Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmreich.
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| Star Garland. We'll have to knit ours in pink if it's to go in the tent! |
9. Holiday Inn.
In this movie Bing Crosby has the hairbrained idea of opening an inn
that's only open on HOLIDAYS! Hmmm, doesn't sound terribly practical,
but there are some great production scenes with a spectacular July 4th
extravaganza. In fact, every holiday gets a big extravaganza and I do
adore that sort of thing. For this movie let's knit something for
ourselves! As if we were going to the Inn for a sensational evening of
dinner, dancing and entertainment. We will need something very very
special and when I think special, I almost always think Kim Hargreaves
and Kidsilk Haze. That combination just can't be beat. Here is Mystic. The simple shaping, soft gray color and light beading make it a truly beautiful holiday sweater.
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| We'll have to knit the matching scarf too! |
10. Little Women.
Any version will do. Let's just say they are all excellent and worthy
of watching over and over again. Isn't Concord, Mass. just about the
prettiest place in the winter? As a child, after I read this book or
watched the movie I remember wanting to be a better person. If you
loved reading this classic as a child, you will enjoy March by Geraldine Brooks.
This book brings to life the absent father of the March family. But now back to knitting, the March girls would
have been knitting hats for the community. Here is a free pattern download from Purl Soho and is sized from newborn to adult male.
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| Knit in Purl's own Super Soft Merino bulky weight, these will go fast! |
11. I cannot have a Top 10 11 List without some Jane! Let's watch Jane Austen's Emma
with Kate Beckinsale. There is always a reason and a season to read or
watch Jane Austen. In Emma, there is a snowy glimpse of what Christmas
looked like in the English countryside 200 years ago. I could see Emma
slipping this over her head just as she alights from the carriage. Iris by Kim Hargreaves.
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| Iris Mesh Shawl in Rowan Kidsilk Haze. |
This was
fun! I know there's more and if I'm missing a favorite holiday movie of
yours YOU MUST SHARE IT WITH ME! In the meantime, gather up your yarn
and needles, light the fire and turn on the telly. It's time to knit.
6 Comments
Oh my goodness, this is the best. I haven't had a chance to watch any holiday movies yet either, and I believe this list will help inform my choices this weekend!
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favorite things too! Knitting and holiday movies! I watch Lifetime Christmas movies every year, but can't remember the ones I like best.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post! Thank you for the great movie recommendations. :-) And I LOVE Iris by Kim Hargreaves. I have never seen that one before, it is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sweaters for beautiful movies.
ReplyDeleteCarole
I also love the Family Stone, the Sound of Music, and Love Actually too!
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